Arthur Lopez – “The Bearded Lady: Santa Librada'”, Wood Santos
$ 8,500.00
Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This piece is entitled “The Bearded Lady: Santa Librada”.
“Come closer! Witness the legend of ‘The Bearded Lady’, Santa Librada, a figure who embodies liberation and strength for every unconventional soul! Behold the incredible princess from a foreign land, bound by a sacred vow, whose defiance became a miracle.”
Santa Librada also known as St. Wilgefortis is a female saint whose legend, appearing around the 14th century, was the daughter of a pagan king of Portugal and had converted to Christianity, taking a vow of virginity. Her father had arranged a marriage between her and a pagan king. As she had devoted her life to Christ, she prayed to God to disfigure her body to avoid an unwanted marriage. According to the legend, she prayed to God to grow a beard, which she did, and her suitor then withdrew his proposal. Enraged, her father, had her crucified, making her a martyr.The Bearded Lady, Santa Librada (whose name means liberated) isn’t just a curiosity; she’s the patron of the downtrodden! For women yearning to escape the chains of abuse, for souls trapped in unwanted situations, she is their whispered prayer, their silent scream for Liberation. Librada’s story, particularly the beard growth, has been interpreted as a symbol of rebellion against societal expectations and gender norms. This interpretation has led to her being embraced by LGBTQ+ individuals and communities seeking to reclaim and redefine their identities within religious contexts. The concept of “queer saints” is gaining traction, with Santa Librada being a prominent figure. Her legend is seen as challenging traditional gender and sexuality norms, providing a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with their faith and find a sense of belonging. She challenges the rigid rules, and embraces the unique, offering a sanctuary of belonging for all who seek their true selves in the eyes of the divine. She is the ultimate symbol of reclaiming.
Arthur wrote of his show Sideshow Saints:
Arthur Lopez’s new exhibition, ‘Sideshow Saints,’ boldly reimagines the sacred narratives of Christian saints within the captivating and often unsettling world of the circus sideshow.”
“Step right up!” and witness a spectacle unlike any other! Prepare to be amazed, to be stunned, to be thrilled! Don’t miss your chance to witness the incredible! A sight you won’t forget, a memory you’ll cherish forever!
“Sideshow Saints” showcases Lopez’s exceptional skill in painted wood sculpture, a medium through which he meticulously reimagines traditional Christian narratives. Each piece in the exhibition demonstrates a profound understanding of form and surface, as Lopez masterfully carves and paints the wood to bring these unique interpretations to life. The tactile quality of the wood, combined with the vibrant layers of paint, imbues the sculptures with a tangible presence, bridging the historical narratives with a contemporary artistic sensibility.”
Lopez pulls back the circus curtain by inviting viewers into the world circus sideshow or (Freak-show) as it is sometimes referred as. Circus sideshows are known for their bizarre and unusual acts that include people with unusual physical characteristics or conditions that were often considered “Freaks of Nature” or “Beyond Natural”. This concept sparked the theme for “Sideshow Saints”, Just as the sideshow spotlighted individuals with extraordinary characteristics, the lives of the saints are filled with equally extraordinary tales of martyrdom, miracles, and divine intervention. This parallel forms the foundation of the exhibition, where each figure is masterfully carved and painted with careful attention to their traditional attributes, reinterpreted within a sideshow setting.
The process for Arthur’s work is bound in tradition. After the piece is carved, it is covered in gesso (a glue made from rabbit hide), which is allowed to dry and then sanded. It is painted with both natural and watercolor pigments. Natural colored pigments, such as brown, are derived from black walnut hulls. These are the time involved and historic foundations for his work.
Click here to read more and see all the pieces in “Sideshow Saints.”
Arthur Lopez: Sideshow Saints
Out of stock
Arthur Lopez is one of the leading Santos carvers in New Mexico. This piece is entitled “The Bearded Lady: Santa Librada”.
“Come closer! Witness the legend of ‘The Bearded Lady’, Santa Librada, a figure who embodies liberation and strength for every unconventional soul! Behold the incredible princess from a foreign land, bound by a sacred vow, whose defiance became a miracle.”
Santa Librada also known as St. Wilgefortis is a female saint whose legend, appearing around the 14th century, was the daughter of a pagan king of Portugal and had converted to Christianity, taking a vow of virginity. Her father had arranged a marriage between her and a pagan king. As she had devoted her life to Christ, she prayed to God to disfigure her body to avoid an unwanted marriage. According to the legend, she prayed to God to grow a beard, which she did, and her suitor then withdrew his proposal. Enraged, her father, had her crucified, making her a martyr.The Bearded Lady, Santa Librada (whose name means liberated) isn’t just a curiosity; she’s the patron of the downtrodden! For women yearning to escape the chains of abuse, for souls trapped in unwanted situations, she is their whispered prayer, their silent scream for LIBERATION!
Librada’s story, particularly the beard growth, has been interpreted as a symbol of rebellion against societal expectations and gender norms. This interpretation has led to her being embraced by LGBTQ+ individuals and communities seeking to reclaim and redefine their identities within religious contexts.
The concept of “queer saints” is gaining traction, with Santa Librada being a prominent figure. Her legend is seen as challenging traditional gender and sexuality norms, providing a space for LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with their faith and find a sense of belonging. She challenges the rigid rules, and embraces the unique, offering a sanctuary of belonging for all who seek their true selves in the eyes of the divine. She is the ultimate symbol of reclaiming.
Arthur wrote of his show Sideshow Saints:
Arthur Lopez’s new exhibition, ‘Sideshow Saints,’ boldly reimagines the sacred narratives of Christian saints within the captivating and often unsettling world of the circus sideshow.”
“Step right up!” and witness a spectacle unlike any other! Prepare to be amazed, to be stunned, to be thrilled! Don’t miss your chance to witness the incredible! A sight you won’t forget, a memory you’ll cherish forever!
“Sideshow Saints” showcases Lopez’s exceptional skill in painted wood sculpture, a medium through which he meticulously reimagines traditional Christian narratives. Each piece in the exhibition demonstrates a profound understanding of form and surface, as Lopez masterfully carves and paints the wood to bring these unique interpretations to life. The tactile quality of the wood, combined with the vibrant layers of paint, imbues the sculptures with a tangible presence, bridging the historical narratives with a contemporary artistic sensibility.”
Lopez pulls back the circus curtain by inviting viewers into the world circus sideshow or (Freak-show) as it is sometimes referred as. Circus sideshows are known for their bizarre and unusual acts that include people with unusual physical characteristics or conditions that were often considered “Freaks of Nature” or “Beyond Natural”. This concept sparked the theme for “Sideshow Saints”, Just as the sideshow spotlighted individuals with extraordinary characteristics, the lives of the saints are filled with equally extraordinary tales of martyrdom, miracles, and divine intervention. This parallel forms the foundation of the exhibition, where each figure is masterfully carved and painted with careful attention to their traditional attributes, reinterpreted within a sideshow setting.
The process for Arthur’s work is bound in tradition. After the piece is carved, it is covered in gesso (a glue made from rabbit hide), which is allowed to dry and then sanded. It is painted with both natural and watercolor pigments. Natural colored pigments, such as brown, are derived from black walnut hulls. These are the time involved and historic foundations for his work.
Click here to read more and see all the pieces in “Sideshow Saints”
Brand
Lopez, Arthur (b. 1971)
Arthur Lopez
Arthur Lopez (b.1971) said, "I firmly believe that you can still use traditional methods to create contemporary work."
Though most of Arthur's work represents Saints, you do not have to be of any particular religion to appreciate them as art. Equally crucial to López is his need to transcend the bounds of the traditional santero and use his art to express the full range of his culture and the world around him. López has exhibited in numerous shows throughout the Southwest and is in many prominent museum collections nationwide. His work has been exhibited internationally at the 2nd International Triennial of Kogei - "The Arts Grounded in Region," 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, Japan; "Song of the West," Kohi Kulturaum, Karlsruhe, Germany and "The Saints From a Land So Remote" - LAProjects, Landshut, Germany. Arthur Lopez was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and he is proud to be working in the long tradition of New Mexico santero artists. His keen attention to detail has garnered him many awards, and he is highly esteemed as one of New Mexico's most popular santero wood sculptors. In 2015 Arthur Lopez was awarded the City of Santa Fe Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
"My work comes out of my faith."